OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
A quarter of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by humans ends up in the oceans where it forms carbonic acid, causing the ocean’s pH value to decrease and its chemistry to change. This drop in acidity leads to a shortage of carbonate ions which are critical for shell and skeleton growth for many marine species.
When the pH value reaches a certain level, it becomes difficult for organisms like corals, shellfish, and plankton to grow and survive, altering ocean ecosystems and potentially reducing fish stocks. Compared to preindustrial times, the acidity has already increased by 30%.
CONCEPT
The soap that was chosen as the representative object resembles the weakening of coral skeletons, one of the main impacts of a decreasing pH value in the sea. With a rising acidity, the shape becomes thinner and more fragile.
1990
pH value
8,103
2000
pH value
8,087
2010
pH value
8,071
2020
pH value
8,053
2030
pH value
8,037
2045
pH value
8,014
CONCEPT
A soap was chosen as the representative object resembling the weakening of coral skeletons, one of the main impacts of a decreasing pH value in the sea. With a rising acidity, the shape becomes thinner and more fragile, just like some of the marine species.
parameter used
unit
acidity
global pH value
